Hood insulation missing on TE?

[BatangSMB]

Hi Guys! Got my T4r TE last friday and thanks to the forum i think i made the right choice.While i was looking at my T4r at the dealer lot i noticed that the panel under the hood is missing.Im not sure if its a heat absorbing panel or something like a sound proof fibrous panel but i have seen that in all the cars we've purchased in the past ten years.I asked the dealer why theres nothing in there and they said they'll check the other TE as soon as they get delivery.My question to Te owners is if you have that cover.Thanks.

 

[1000MPH]

Computer says no

 

[BatangSMB]

Thanks for the info 1000mph.

 

[1000MPH]

I think the LTD has insulation. Anyone confirm?

 

[tpirman]

Computer says no

Best show ever!

 

[nashman69g]

Limiteds have insulation.

 

[Alphie7]

Hi Guys! Got my T4r TE last friday and thanks to the forum i think i made the right choice.While i was looking at my T4r at the dealer lot i noticed that the panel under the hood is missing.Im not sure if its a heat absorbing panel or something like a sound proof fibrous panel but i have seen that in all the cars we've purchased in the past ten years.I asked the dealer why theres nothing in there and they said they'll check the other TE as soon as they get delivery.My question to Te owners is if you have that cover.Thanks.

I just bought a 2011 SR5 and noticed the same thing. I'm really picky about quiet and at first I thought it was just the exhaust note, but after driving it more it sounded to me like engine noise. Open the hood, saw the bare metal and thought the same thing.....why is there no sound dampening piece under there. Looking online I see nothing readily available online. I've also been a bit disappointed on other things - seems like for $38K sticker you would get that insulation, auto headlights, a radio that you can see in the daylight (hate the amber color) it takes forever to 4R to heat up, can't believe there's no "auto" mode for 4WD (I had all this on my 2001 Blazer) Temperature adjustment on the other side of the cab, no auto mode...and then the color selection of the interior sucks. Why black carpet no matter which one you buy. Why no medium gray interior that would look great with all the exterior colors. Always wanted a 4Runner - overall happy with size, performance, looks and no I will like the long term reliability - but for $38K - I've come away a bit disappointed.
Hal in Tulsa

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

I just bought a 2011 SR5 and noticed the same thing. I'm really picky about quiet and at first I thought it was just the exhaust note, but after driving it more it sounded to me like engine noise. Open the hood, saw the bare metal and thought the same thing.....why is there no sound dampening piece under there. Looking online I see nothing readily available online. I've also been a bit disappointed on other things - seems like for $38K sticker you would get that insulation, auto headlights, a radio that you can see in the daylight (hate the amber color) it takes forever to 4R to heat up, can't believe there's no "auto" mode for 4WD (I had all this on my 2001 Blazer) Temperature adjustment on the other side of the cab, no auto mode...and then the color selection of the interior sucks. Why black carpet no matter which one you buy. Why no medium gray interior that would look great with all the exterior colors. Always wanted a 4Runner - overall happy with size, performance, looks and no I will like the long term reliability - but for $38K - I've come away a bit disappointed.
Hal in Tulsa

If you wanted all that but the black carpet, why didnt you buy a 4th gen? The 4th gen seems like it would fit your pickyness a lot better.

 

[philsey]

Hi Guys! Got my T4r TE last friday and thanks to the forum i think i made the right choice.While i was looking at my T4r at the dealer lot i noticed that the panel under the hood is missing.Im not sure if its a heat absorbing panel or something like a sound proof fibrous panel but i have seen that in all the cars we've purchased in the past ten years.I asked the dealer why theres nothing in there and they said they'll check the other TE as soon as they get delivery.My question to Te owners is if you have that cover.Thanks.

The sound insulation is intentionally left off the TE. If it were not, you'd lose the extra HP advantage of the hood scoop.

 

[philsey]

I just bought a 2011 SR5 and noticed the same thing. I'm really picky about quiet and at first I thought it was just the exhaust note, but after driving it more it sounded to me like engine noise. Open the hood, saw the bare metal and thought the same thing.....why is there no sound dampening piece under there. Looking online I see nothing readily available online. I've also been a bit disappointed on other things - seems like for $38K sticker you would get that insulation, auto headlights, a radio that you can see in the daylight (hate the amber color) it takes forever to 4R to heat up, can't believe there's no "auto" mode for 4WD (I had all this on my 2001 Blazer) Temperature adjustment on the other side of the cab, no auto mode...and then the color selection of the interior sucks. Why black carpet no matter which one you buy. Why no medium gray interior that would look great with all the exterior colors. Always wanted a 4Runner - overall happy with size, performance, looks and no I will like the long term reliability - but for $38K - I've come away a bit disappointed.
Hal in Tulsa

Hal, next time take a test drive.

 

[nashman69g]

Apparently some of these people walk onto a lot and the dealer says "Buy this. You will like it." and they do.

 

[4FL]

I just bought a 2011 SR5 and noticed the same thing. I'm really picky about quiet and at first I thought it was just the exhaust note, but after driving it more it sounded to me like engine noise. Open the hood, saw the bare metal and thought the same thing.....why is there no sound dampening piece under there. Looking online I see nothing readily available online. I've also been a bit disappointed on other things - seems like for $38K sticker you would get that insulation, auto headlights, a radio that you can see in the daylight (hate the amber color) it takes forever to 4R to heat up, can't believe there's no "auto" mode for 4WD (I had all this on my 2001 Blazer) Temperature adjustment on the other side of the cab, no auto mode...and then the color selection of the interior sucks. Why black carpet no matter which one you buy. Why no medium gray interior that would look great with all the exterior colors. Always wanted a 4Runner - overall happy with size, performance, looks and no I will like the long term reliability - but for $38K - I've come away a bit disappointed.
Hal in Tulsa

You bought a $38k car and did not notice these things before you bought it?

 

[ClockWork]

Yet another place where they skimped from the 4th to the 5th gen. That picture really lets you see just how thin the sheet metal is on these things. Yes, 4th gen too.

 

[homeyclaus]

Yet another place where they skimped from the 4th to the 5th gen. That picture really lets you see just how thin the sheet metal is on these things. Yes, 4th gen too.

If thickness of the sheet metal, especially the hood, is how quality is judged, I suggest a 1975 Plymouth Valiant.

 

[ClockWork]

If thickness of the sheet metal, especially the hood, is how quality is judged, I suggest a 1975 Plymouth Valiant.

Yes when I have another Toyota benchmark in my garage it can be used as a quality comparison point, even though they are completely different vehicles.

 

[Antman]

Guess I'm gettin old and grumpy, but I sure do tire of threads when they turn into this.
Mods- can we have a "what I hate about my 5th Gen" sticky that all the new members must read before being allowed to post? Oh well.

 

[FlyNavy]

If thickness of the sheet metal, especially the hood, is how quality is judged, I suggest a 1975 Plymouth Valiant.

True, but whoever at Toyota QC allowed it to go into production like that should be tied to the hood and driven thru a carwash.

 

[homeyclaus]

True, but whoever at Toyota QC allowed it to go into production like that should be tied to the hood and driven thru a carwash.

I stand by my statement, and furthermore contend the hood has absolutely nothing to do with QC unless the paint is flaking off. The hood deflects air. That's it. It's not a structural component.

Anything thicker than just what it needs to be adds weight high up, reducing handling and reducing gas mileage. It's the best place to save weight on the vehicle, as it serves a single, clear purpose. Carbon-fiber hoods are on rally cars and the like for precisely this reason, because even our 4Runner hoods probably weigh 30 lbs too much.

Guess I'm gettin old and grumpy, but I sure do tire of threads when they turn into this.
Mods- can we have a "what I hate about my 5th Gen" sticky that all the new members must read before being allowed to post? Oh well.

We need an Arnold Schwarzenegger sound clip here: "Stop whining!" whenever someone posts complaints about the lack of LED tails. HID headlamps, or other nonsense.

 

[4FL]

Guess I'm gettin old and grumpy, but I sure do tire of threads when they turn into this.
Mods- can we have a "what I hate about my 5th Gen" sticky that all the new members must read before being allowed to post? Oh well.

I must say, if these are the only things people can come up with, I really need to get a 4runner.

My explorer has had wheel bearings replaced, tq replaced, trans replaced, water leaking somewhere, climate fan control problem, rear hatch strut break, and probably more.....all before 75k miles. Luckily it has been covered under the extended warranty.

 

[4FL]

The sheet metal should have nothing to do with the structure of the car. The thinner, the better. I had a camaro that had a fiberglass hood and front fenders, the sheet metal is a non issue in the structure of the car, it is for looks and efficiency.